Berryhill opens World Series with a bang

Post 165 rallies to beat Randolph, N.C. 7-2 in opener

Fred Kelly fred.kelly@mdn.net

Updated
8:42 pm EDT, Thursday, August 16, 2018

Berryhill's Tyler David tries to beat the throw to Randolph (N.C.) first-baseman Spencer Lanier during Thursday's American Legion Baseball World Series opener in Shelby, N.C. (Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

Berryhill's Tyler David tries to beat the throw to Randolph (N.C.) first-baseman Spencer Lanier during Thursday's American Legion Baseball World Series opener in Shelby, N.C. (Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

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Berryhill's Tyler David tries to beat the throw to Randolph (N.C.) first-baseman Spencer Lanier during Thursday's American Legion Baseball World Series opener in Shelby, N.C. (Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

Berryhill's Tyler David tries to beat the throw to Randolph (N.C.) first-baseman Spencer Lanier during Thursday's American Legion Baseball World Series opener in Shelby, N.C. (Lucas Carter/The American Legion)

Berryhill opens World Series with a bang

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SHELBY, N.C. — Berryhill Post 165 just keeps finding ways to win.

Just as it did in the regional final four days earlier, Berryhill shook off a slow start and an early deficit and dominated the rest of the game Thursday, opening the American Legion Baseball World Series with an impressive 7-2 victory over Randolph, N.C.

"It was a great team win. The kids are excited, really excited," Berryhill manager Steve Cronkright said via cell phone, adding that Randolph is a very quality opponent. " ... The locals down here were telling me how good this Randolph team is, and they are (a good team). They said, 'Man, that bracket you're in is loaded compared to the other one.'

"But we've got one win, and now we'll take it one game at a time and see what we can do," he added.

Post 165 is off Friday and then will play its second game of pool play in the Stars Division on Saturday at 1 p.m. against perennial powerhouse Las Vegas, Nev., before concluding pool play on Sunday at 4 p.m. against Meridian, Idaho.

Berryhill rightfielder Adam Randall, who had two hits Thursday, said that starting off with a win is crucial.

"We've got two more (pool) games, and we probably have to win only one of them to advance (to Monday's semifinals), so to get that first one under our belts is huge," Randall said via cell phone.

Randall, like many of his Berryhill teammates, is making his first appearance in an ALB World Series, and he loves what he has experienced thus far.

"It's great. (Keeter Stadium in Shelby) is probably the nicest field I've ever played on," he said. "The energy down here is electric. It's just a blast."

Garrett Willis pitched 6 1/3 strong innings for Berryhill and worked out of a couple of jams to give his teammates time to rally. And after falling behind 2-0, Post 165 did just that, beginning in the bottom of the fourth.

With two outs and nobody on base, Seth Gower reached on an error and Brandon Smith walked to get Berryhill started. Randall then doubled to the leftfield corner to drive in Gower and get Post 165 on the board. After Jeff Allen was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Logan LaCourse was also hit by a pitch to force in Smith and tie the game at 2-2.

Randall said it felt good to get his team jumpstarted, particularly after going only 1-for-6 at the plate in regionals.

"That double down the line was really key, getting the team going and getting the energy in our direction," he said. "We kind of took off from there, and the team followed (my lead). ... It really did (feel good), yeah, being able to come back (and get a big hit) on a bigger stage after that performance I had (in regionals)."

Asked about Randall's double, Cronkright chuckled heartily.

"He sure did get a big hit, wow," Cronkright replied. "He swings it hard. Every once in a while, he runs into one. He sure did get a big hit for us."

Berryhill took its first lead, 3-2, on an RBI single by Martin Money in the bottom of the fifth and then really blew it open in the sixth. LaCourse and Zach Nelson got the sixth-inning rally started with back-to-back singles, and LaCourse scored moments later on a wild pitch.

After Nick Dardas walked to load the bases, Tyler David singled through the right side of the infield to plate Nelson. Money's bloop single reloaded the bases, and one out later, Smith rifled a line single to centerfield to drive in both Dardas and David to make it a four-run outburst and a 7-2 lead.

Willis issued a walk and hit a batter to put runners at first and second with one out in the top of the seventh before reaching his pitch count limit. Seth Gower came on in relief and eventually stranded the bases full to end the game.

"We couldn't get anything going (early on), and when we did hit something hard, they made the plays. They're a good team," Cronkright said. "But we finally got a couple of breaks and some key hits — big hits. Holy cow, did we have some big hits. It sure was fun."

Willis surrendered two runs on five hits and three walks and struck out six in earning the win. Randolph starter Bryce Marsh took the loss after allowing five runs, three earned, on six hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings.

Randall was 2-for-3 for Berryhill, while Money also had two hits, and Dardas scored twice.

Randall, who will be entering his senior year at Bay City Western this fall, said he is thoroughly enjoying his first season with Berryhill.

"It's been really fun. Everyone's obviously from different (high school) teams, and it took a while for everyone to blend together," he said. "But we're finally playing together well and becoming the scrappy team that we can be."

According to Cronkright, his players — only five of whom have played in an ALB World Series before — have been surprisingly even-keeled on the big stage.

"I really thought there would be more (nerves), to be honest," he admitted. "For a lot of them, it's their first shot (at playing in the World Series). We were a little bit jumpy the first time through the batting order, but that happens a lot (in baseball), not just in the World Series. They've held their composure well."

Cronkright added that he is glad to get a day off before having to face Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Hopefully, we play well, and I think we will," he said. "We've been playing good ball, and we get a day off. I think the heat really took the sap out of us (today), to be honest. It's hot. Oh, man, it's hot.